MASS production is a system by which many products

Transcription

1 Introduce Mass Production By Larry Roberts MASS production is a system by which many products can be produced at a reduced cost for a company. It is also a way to improve the quality of the items. As a factory worker, you may be on an assembly line doing the same job minute after minute, hour after hour, day after day, year after year, until you retire or change jobs. In problem, students will be asked to simulate such an experience with the other members of their group. For these activities, break the class up into groups of five. For Activity 1, give each group a tray of 100 bolts, 400 washers, and 100 nuts. Larry Roberts has won numerous awards for his excellence in teaching and programs at Highlands Middle School, Kennewick, WA. ON-DEMAND CLASSROOM PROJECT / ASSEMBLY LINE ACTIVITIES 1

2 Mass Production Activity 1 Student Instructions 1. Set up an assembly line where each person in the group assembles only one part of the unit. The first person puts one washer onto one bolt. He or she passes it onto the next person. The second person puts another washer on the bolt, as do the third and fourth persons. The fifth person puts on a nut. 2. Start by having your group assemble 10 units. Record the time it takes to assemble them. Do twice and calculate the average time it takes your group to assemble 10 units. Divide your average time by 10 to find the time it takes the whole group to assemble one unit (individual unit time). 3. Take the average time it takes your group to assemble one unit and multiply it by 100 units. Calculate the expected time it will take your group to assemble 100 units. ON-DEMAND CLASSROOM PROJECT / ASSEMBLY LINE ACTIVITIES 2

3 Mass Production Activity 1 Worksheet 1. Time it took to assemble 10 units First time Second time 2. Average time it took to assemble 10 units First time + Second time = 2 = (average) 3. Time to complete 1 unit (individual unit time) Average 10 = individual unit time 4. Expected time to assemble 100 units Individual unit time 100 = ON-DEMAND CLASSROOM PROJECT / ASSEMBLY LINE ACTIVITIES 3

4 Mass Production Activity 1 Questions Answer the following questions in complete sentences. 1. Did you meet or beat your expected time to complete 100 units? Why did or didn t your group meet the expected time? 2. Was the expectation of completion time realistic? Why or why not? 3. Were there any production slow downs and what caused them? 4. Was your job getting boring? Why or why not? 5. Was another student s production speed frustrating anyone? 6. List five ways an employer could keep employees from being bored by doing mass production. a. b. c. d. e. ON-DEMAND CLASSROOM PROJECT / ASSEMBLY LINE ACTIVITIES 4

5 Mass Production Activity 2 Student Instructions 1. This time your group will assemble a truck in a mass production line. 2. Complete as many trucks as your group can in 30 minutes. Switch jobs every 10 minutes. 3. Before starting, each student will choose to, cut, and fold one of the following parts. The truck should be assembled in the order shown. Hood and front fenders Cab Box Bed liner Wheels 4. Each student must determine how much time he will spend ing his part, keeping in mind that he must also cut, fold, and assemble it with glue without slowing down the assembly line. 5. Remember, quality also counts. You may want to a have a group conference before starting. 6. Groups may rough cut and stack 10 truck patterns before starting assembly. ON-DEMAND CLASSROOM PROJECT / ASSEMBLY LINE ACTIVITIES 5

6 Mass Production Activity 2 Questions Answer the following questions in complete sentences. 1. How many trucks did your group complete in 15 minutes? 2. Did switching jobs make the mass production any less boring? Why or why not? 3. How much time was lost when switching jobs? 4. What did your group talk about while assembling the trucks? 5. Would you like to work on a factory assembly line? Why or why not? ON-DEMAND CLASSROOM PROJECT / ASSEMBLY LINE ACTIVITIES 6

7 Introduce Mass Production Truck Pattern Roberts Wagon Cab Wheel location 4 x 4 4 x 4 ROBERTS Box Bed liner Hood and front fenders Note: any tab. Wheels ON-DEMAND CLASSROOM PROJECT / ASSEMBLY LINE ACTIVITIES 7